Around Town

SEARCH FOR NEW POLICE CHIEF CONTINUES

As the search continues for a permanent replacement for retired Police Chief Roy Nelson, Williston Town Manager Rick McGuire said interest in the position has been high.

“There have been well over 50 applications I received,” McGuire told the Williston Selectboard at its March 19 meeting. “I’m going to start the interview process next month.”

McGuire said he plans to assemble an interview panel that will include one Selectboard member, one staff member and at least one police professional who works outside the town of Williston. McGuire previously solicited public comment through a questionnaire posted on the town Web site that asked respondents to rank desired core competencies of the new chief in order of importance.

The salary range for the police chief position is $54,410-$78,168. McGuire said he hopes to have the position filled by June 1.

Acting Police Chief Doug Hoyt, who is currently in the midst of a five-week vacation, will continue to serve in an interim capacity until a replacement is found.

Sgt. Justin Huizenga has been placed in charge of the department in Hoyt’s absence.

KIDS Summer food program guidelines

The Vermont Department of Education has announced the availability of funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the 2012 Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP). This program is intended to assure that children who rely on free and reduced price meals during the school year continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer.

Schools, private non-profit organizations, government entities and non-profit residential camps are eligible to sponsor the program at one or more sites.

Children 18 and under who are members of food stamp households, receive Reach Up benefits or meet income guidelines are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits.

For more information about the Summer Food Service Program contact the Vermont Department of Education at (802) 828-5155.

Green Up Day

Williston’s Senior Planner Jessica Andreoletti is preparing for the town’s annual Green Up Day, set for May 5.The Town will have a booth at Williston Community Park with trash bags and refreshments. “It would be good to get teams of folks to walk the Allen Brook to collect trash, as well as along the roads and in our neighborhoods and parks. I am looking for food/beverage donations from local restaurants/coffee shops/grocery stores,” Andreoletti wrote in an email to the Observer.

Residents may sign up early and pick up their bags at the Planning Office in April, or may show up on Green Up Day at the concession stand at the Community Park starting at 8 a.m. to enjoy refreshments, pick up trash bags and select an area to “green up.”

Questions should be addressed to Andreoletti at 878-6704 x 4 or by email [email protected]

KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION

Pre-registration for fall kindergarten has begun. If your child will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2012, visit the Williston School District’s website (wsdvt.org) or call 879-5806 to start the process. Kindergarten registration will be held April 4-6. Appointments can be scheduled via phone or online.